BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The University of Alabama at Birmingham College of Arts and Sciences will commemorate the life and legacy of 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln with a week of events Nov. 15-21.
On Nov. 19, 1863, nearly 150 years ago, Lincoln gave his historic “Gettysburg Address,” which is still being taught and recited today. As the nation reflects, UAB will host “Abraham Lincoln: Image and Reality,” a week featuring lectures, a musical performance and a film screening, and then culminating with a talk by one of this country’s most prominent historians, Eric Foner, Ph.D.
Foner, the DeWitt Clinton Professor of History at Columbia University, is one of only two persons to serve as president of the three major professional organizations: the Organization of American Historians, American Historical Association and Society of American Historians. He is also one of a handful to have won the Bancroft and Pulitzer prizes in the same year. Foner has written scores of books, including his most recent, “The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery,” which won the Bancroft Prize, Pulitzer Prize for history and The Lincoln Prize.
All of the following events are free and open to the public:
Nov. 15 – Daniel Siegel, Ph.D., associate professor of English, will present a talk on “Lincoln and American Cinema” as part of the Haddin Humanities Forum from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Heritage Hall, Room 524, 1401 University Blvd. Nov. 19 – On the anniversary of the “Gettysburg Address,” the Alabama Symphony Orchestra will present “An Evening of Lincoln Music” featuring Aaron Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait” and guest narrator Earl Hilliard Jr. from 7-8 p.m. at the Alys Stephens Center, Jemison Concert Hall, 1200 10th Ave. South. Nov. 20 – UAB Student Activities will screen “Lincoln,” directed by Steven Spielberg, at 7 p.m. in the Chemistry Building, Room 101, 901 14th St. South. Nov. 21 – The Department of History will present “Lincoln’s Legacy with Dr. Eric Foner” at 7 p.m. in the Alumni House, 1301 10th Ave. South.
